Mels Diner
Last inspected: Sep 12, 2025
95
Score
Mels Diner appears in inspection records eight times, starting in 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Sep 12, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around three violations compared to roughly six violations earlier on.
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
Restaurants in Naples average 81, so Mels Diner is doing better than most peers. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 12, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer at establishment for multiple cold holding units.
05-09-4
95
Jan 28, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 22, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm) Secondary Test ; Operator primed sanitizer Dishwasher (Chlorine 50ppm) **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener has accumulated debris
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Near dishwasher area and front counter, observed a garbage can blocking sinks. Operator moved cans. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in dry food storage area.
38-05-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust and accumulated debris on the surface.
14-17-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Several walls in kitchen have accumulated food debris and grease
36-27-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Several walls in kitchen have missing wallboard and tiles.
36-24-5
Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. In several areas of the kitchen
36-03-4
Basic - Fifty (50) foot-candles of light not provided at a food working surface or where safety is a factor. In prep area, and near bead racks.
38-11-4
52
Oct 19, 2023
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener and can opener blade have accumulated debris **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-19: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. At rear entrance of kitchen. 9-14-2023 **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-19: **Time Extended**
35B-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Under counter on front line and behind equipment on front line has accumulated debris **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-19: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wall not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, warewashing areas or bathroom. Near server station, wall is unsealed drywall 9-14-2023 **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-19: **Time Extended**
36-30-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall near front line of kitchen is soiled 9-14-2023 **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-19: **Time Extended**
36-27-5
74
Oct 16, 2023
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. raw chicken (50F - Cold Holding); raw beef patties (48F - Cold Holding); raw salmon (49F - Cold Holding); raw shrimp (47F - Cold Holding) Per operator, refrigerator doors have been opened a-lot during the lunch rush. Operator had employees put bags of ice on products **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener and can opener blade have accumulated debris **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. At server area, Hand washing sink has a garbage can in front and a bustub of dirty dishes blocking the hand towels **Warning**
31A-09-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. At rear entrance of kitchen. 9-14-2023 **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
35B-01-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Under counter on front line and behind equipment on front line has accumulated debris **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Wall not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, warewashing areas or bathroom. Near server station, wall is unsealed drywall 9-14-2023 **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-30-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall near front line of kitchen is soiled 9-14-2023 **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-27-5
58
Sep 14, 2023
Routine - Food
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
70
Mar 14, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. December 1, 2022
50-17-3
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Ground pork stored above raw fish in walk-in cooler.
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. In walk-in cooler mixed vegetables not date marked.
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. At front counter in bar area, hand washing sink has no hot water available, handle is unable to turn.
27-16-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. On front line of kitchen. Employee replenished towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Five employees hired over sixty days without proof of training. Per operator, training is being done this week.
53B-13-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelving under steam table, has heavy accumulation of grease and debris
23-03-4
Basic - Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Scoop for ice machine stored on top of unit, outside. Discussed with operator different options so scoop is protected from the elements. Operator removed scoop for cleaning **Corrective Action Taken**
24-07-4
45
Aug 24, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No test kit at dish machine **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-24: **Time Extended**
16-37-1
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Employee restroom is missing ceiling tiles **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-24: **Time Extended**
36-36-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Above Front line ceiling in disrepair, exposed drywall and patchwork **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-24: **Time Extended**
36-32-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Repeat Violation 3-10-2022 **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-24: **Time Extended**
50-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wall not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, warewashing areas or bathroom. Kitchen wall areas missing tiles. Exposed drywall and patchwork also. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-24: **Time Extended**
36-30-4
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mels Diner last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mels Diner on file is from Sep 12, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mels Diner?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Mels Diner.
How does Mels Diner compare to other restaurants in Naples?
Mels Diner most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Naples average of 81.
Has Mels Diner's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Mels Diner have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Mels Diner means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Mels Diner inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Mels Diner is inspected around three times per year on average.
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